The Old Train Station News

Newsletter #74 April 2015

This month’s feature article was written by a friend of the museum.

------

As we prepare to sit down to watch another round of playoffs, I find myself comparing today’s athletes with those of generations ago. We continue to admire the physical attributes, the skills, the statistics and the commitment to the game. It is difficult to make such comparisons as so much has changed: the rules, the training, the facilities, the coaching and much more.

There are local examples of sports men and women who have made their mark during their lifetime but Jack Chisholm comes to mind as one person who was involved in athletics throughout his lifetime and who had an impact in the broader sports community. We take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that he made to the development of sports in Antigonish, particularly in hockey.

Jack was born John A. Chisholm on April 11, 1890 at Caledonia Mills, the son of John Charles Chisholm and Mary Boyle. Jack was raised with two brothers, Joseph and Angus, and two sisters, Christy and Isabella. The young family moved into town around 1891 and established themselves in a home on Main Street. The elder Chisholm had worked as a shoemaker in Caledonia Mills and would continue the trade at his new location.

Jack Chisholm received his early education at the Main Street School and eventually left Antigonish to seek opportunity elsewhere. About 1911 he moved to Sandon, , to try his hand in the silver mines. There, he became a student of hockey and developed his skills and knowledge of the game. His dedication did not go unrecognized; he was presented with a gold pocket watch inscribed as follows: “Presented to J. Chisholm by the citizens and Hockey Club of Sandon for his good work toward winning of the Cornwall Cup 1913”. That very year, Jack was called back to Antigonish. With the death of his father, he was destined to take over the family shoe business. Jack Chisholm, at age 33, married Sadie MacEachern of Cape George on January 8, 1924. Over the next few years the family grew to include thirteen children. To many, he would now be known as “Jack Shoestore.” He kept busy with business but maintained his interest in sports, including baseball, track and field, and hockey.

The Antigonish Heritage Museum [email protected] or 902-863-6160

1

The game of hockey had been introduced to Antigonish in the late 1890s. The outdoor pick-up games on the salt ponds, Stewart’s dyke, and ice surfaces throughout the town and county were still number one; however, a rink near St. F. X. College and the Victoria Street curling rink were popular venues for early “organized” games. In a 1999 conversation with Roy Cunningham, he revealed that his uncle Billy Turnbull had been the leader of The Community Band and that they had provided entertainment at all the indoor games.

In 1922, Rev. John R. MacDonald (later Bishop John R.), a staunch promoter of temperance in the Antigonish area, loaned his support to the LOC (League of the Cross) hockey team. Jack Chisholm was appointed captain and coach of the team; that year they won the amateur championship of . They battled against Halifax Wanderers for the championship, but before a winner could be decided, the ice melted. The championship battle was renewed the following December when the Antigonish team finally won the game 2 – 1 in overtime. The Antigonish Team was described in Halifax newspapers as “the little wooden men from the little wooden town.” It is said that winning that championship was a shot in the arm to the popularity and development of hockey in Antigonish.

By the 1930’s there were many hockey teams playing throughout the town, including the Firemen, The Blue Geese, the Vics, League of the Cross – and Junior hockey was making an appearance. Over the next few years, Jack utilized his hockey skills behind the bench of the Morrison School team. They played their first hockey game in January of 1931. Chisholm brought the team to Halifax for a school tournament where they had the distinction of winning two championships in one day. In the morning they won the Junior School Championship and later that day they were victorious in the Senior School championship.

1932 saw the Antigonish Hockey team under Chisholm’s direction win the Maritime Championship for their division. A proud moment, it ensured that hockey would have a prominent place in the hearts of all Antigonishers for generations to come. In 1936, at a meeting held upstairs of the Golden Glow Restaurant and Murray’s Barber Shop, it was voted

2 by members of the hockey fraternity that “Bulldogs” be adopted as the name of the Antigonish hockey team.

Jack Chisholm demonstrated his talent and interest in other sporting activities too. In 1922 he was awarded the Antigonish County League Baseball trophy for his accomplishments on the field. A nine-hole golf course was laid out in 1926; Jack Chisholm was a charter member forming the Antigonish Golf and Country Club. He was indeed a man for all seasons.

Through this brief sketch we recognize Jack Chisholm as an athlete and a builder with a commitment to the development of sport in Antigonish. For his contribution to community affairs and Antigonish hockey, the Town proclaimed December 8, 1974 “Jack Chisholm Day.” He died in February of 1976 at the age of 85 years.

(This autographed brochure, dated 1982, was for a testimonial dinner to honor those who won that championship back in 1932. Jack Chisholm was deceased but his widow attended on his behalf.)

------Recent Acquisitions

 The museum received a major acquisition of negatives from the Buckley Studio which operated in Antigonish for many years. Thank-you to Ken Holmes of Bible Hill.

 Donald C. MacLellan of Scituate, Massachusetts, donated a memoir written by his mother, Anna Josephine (MacDonald) MacLachlan, of Lanark.

 Dan Smith of Antigonish Rent All brought in two framed pictures of the Royal George Hotel.

3

 Claire MacDonald of Dolorosa Avenue contributed an early nursing textbook from St. Martha’s School of Nursing that was used by her aunt, Josephine MacDonald, a 1925 graduate of the school.

Anne Marie Chisholm of Chateauguay, , donated this late 1940s photo of the St. Joseph’s Hockey team. Pictured front, left to right: John D. MacDonald, Alex Chisholm, Wilfred (Roddie Angus) MacDonald, Joe Chisholm, Frank MacKinnon, Collie (Billy) MacDonald, Ronald (Hugh Allan) MacDonald. Pictured back: Rev. Bernard Chisholm, Francis (Hugh Allan) MacDonald, Charles MacLean, George MacInnis, Altie MacIssac, Roddie MacKinnon, Gussie MacIsaac and Arnold Murphy (coach).

Anne Marie also donated a photo of the St. F. X. football team (1944) and a photo of Joseph A. Chisholm tossing the caber in 1968.

Katherine Ann Chisholm of Gaspereaux Lake brought in a photo of the Heatherton School (1928) and a stocking repair kit. These “perfect run arrestors” date back to the 1940s. Back then, ladies didn’t toss their stockings because of a snag; they repaired them.

4

Upcoming Public Lecture and Exhibit

In June, the Broch Research Collective at St. Francis Xavier University will be hosting Dr. George Thomson, an authority on letter analysis of headstones. Dr. Thomson will give an illustrated presentation on gravemarker lettering at the People’s Place Library on Friday, June 5th, 2015. His talk is entitled “Gravemarker Research – A Never-Ending Journey.”

Dr. Thomson, a practicing typographic designer, studied at the College of Art, and received his doctorate from Stirling University. In the past thirty-five years, he has taught on lettering, typography, and graphic design at the School of Art and the University of Cumbria, released more than fifteen books, and published in numerous international journals.

Dr. Thomson has travelled extensively in North America and Europe, photographing and analyzing headstones. He believes that inscriptions on gravemarkers tell us more than any other part of the memorial. He recently published an article on gravemarkers in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, which discusses the impact of regional variation and Scottish influence.

Dr. Thomson’s public lecture promises to be interesting and informative. His talk on June 5th is free of charge and open to all, and will begin at 7:00 pm.

In conjunction with Dr. Thomson’s public lecture there will be an exhibit in the Bistro Gallery of the People’s Place Library, entitled, “Beneath the Stones”. It will feature the work of artists, Russell Jackson, Anna Syperek, and Peter Murphy. The opening reception will take place on June 5th at 6:30 pm. The public is cordially invited to attend the reception and the lecture.

*These events are sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Centre for Regional Studies, Office of the Academic Vice-President, Office of the Dean of Arts, Antigonish Culture Alive, Angus L. Macdonald Library, Department of History, Department of Sociology, Department of Anthropology, and Department of Celtic Studies. -- Dr. Laurie Stanley-Blackwell Department of History, St. Francis Xavier University

Nova Scotia Probate Records Are you aware that these records are online? https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2134302

New Volunteers Our organization is seeking new volunteers. If you have time, talent, and ideas that you would like to share with our organization, please let us know and we will work with you to find a place where you can contribute in a meaningful way. We value your input.

5

. The Association of Nova Scotia Museums

Recently the ANSM organization offered a two day Museums 101 workshop at our Museum. Participants were from around the province and represented staff, volunteers, board members and others who work with museums in Nova Scotia. ANSM is now looking to promote its $100 from 100 Campaign.

What is this $100 from 100 Campaign? According to ANSM, “We are looking for 100 supporters to give $100 to secure seed money for the development of a Museum Fund for Nova Scotia.” For more information, please check the ANSM website: http://www.ansm.ns.ca/ .

“Tompkinsville”

This play by Lindsay Kyte will be performed at the Dr. John Hugh Gillis AV theatre on Thursday, April 30th, at 8 pm. It is sponsored by the Bergengren Credit Union.

ARHS Class of 1975

Antigonish Regional High School Reunion Class of 1975 will celebrate their 40th anniversary on July 10th.

VON Fundraising Walk

The VON will be hosting their annual fundraising walk on Saturday, May 23rd. Registration is at the Museum. A barbecue will follow.

6

Heritage Association of Antigonish Learning Events

 On Monday, May 4th, at 7:00 pm at the museum, Zane Jessens-deNoncourt will present “Latvian Immigration to Antigonish.”  On Monday, June 1st, Allan Marble will give a presentation entitled “Dr. John William MacDonald, a Pioneer in the Public Health Movement in Nova Scotia.”  In June, Rosalie MacEachern will give a talk called “Behind the Scenes: The Year of the Burning” and it will be held Monday June 22nd at 7:00 pm. Ceilidhs

 On Thursday, May 7th, at 7:00 pm , Ceilidh La nam Mathraichean (Mother’s Day Ceilidh) featuring Karen Beaton, Joey Beaton and Jim Delorey.  May 28, Gaelic Awareness Month Ceilidh Patrons

 Donald C MacLellan of Scituate, Massachusetts  Don Fay of Little River, South Carolina

New Members

 Bart and Kathleen Wainwright, Antigonish  Bill and Eva Timmons and family of Viewville Street, Antigonish

Membership renewals are coming in. If you’d like to know your status, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]

Message from the Chair – Heritage Association of Antigonish (Working today to preserve yesterday for tomorrow.)

During the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2015, we used our financial resources for the following items:

 We provided financial resources to assist with required repairs to the Culloden cairn located at Knoydart, Nova Scotia.  We provided financial resources to assist Imagine Antigonish with the history banners.  We purchased computers for the Antigonish Heritage Museum.  We completed a special WW1 100th Anniversary Remembrance Day booklet which was provided to student in our local schools.  We purchased thirty-four new stacking chairs for the Antigonish Heritage Museum.  We hired a summer student to work on the Memories Project.

7

 We delivered a number of learning events.  We delivered a number of free ceilidhs, including the New Year’s Levee.

We are certain you are impressed with our good work and responsible stewardship of our financial resources.

We can only continue to do our important work with your financial support. We ask that you take a membership in the Association and that you consider supporting us via our Patrons Program. Please see the link below for details concerning our Patrons Program. http://www.heritageantigonish.ca/index.php/heritage-association-of-antigonish/patrons-program

Until next, Take Care and God Bless.

Angus MacGillivray, BBA FCGA [email protected]

------

Museums in My Travels

While in Holland this month for a family reunion, I visited De Dorpsdokter Museum (The Village Doctor Museum) in Hilvarenbeek where a vast collection of medical instruments and related paraphernalia illustrate how the village doctor carried out his trade from the beginning of 1800s to about 1945. There was so much to see – including a few eye-openers. Pictured above are: my brother Corry, nephews Peter and Richard, museum worker Tinus, my Dad’s sister Riet, and my brother John. Check out the museum website at: http://www.museumdedorpsdokter.nl/museum.html . – Catherine MacGillivray

8